Dr. Kylie Auman: TEI’s First Scholar Resident

Whether she’s faced with a busy day in clinic, a difficult course in the classroom or a rival opponent on the tennis court, Dr. Kylie Auman admits that she’s always up for a challenge – personally and professionally.

Dr. Auman recently began a new and rewarding challenge with the start of her low vision residency at The Eye Institute (TEI) of Salus University. What makes this challenge even more unique is that she is the first graduate of the University’s Pennsylvania College of Optometry Accelerated Scholars Program to begin a residency at TEI.

The Scholars Program is an opportunity for highly motivated and well-qualified applicants to earn a Doctor of Optometry degree in three years instead of the traditional four. Hard work and dedication coupled with a bit of her infectious optimism sprinkled in helped Dr. Auman to obtain this position.

“I like to be challenged and I like learning at a fast pace,” said Dr. Auman.

The fast-paced nature of the program also helped Dr. Auman prepare for the day-to-day responsibilities of patient care at TEI. As a low vision resident, she works primarily in the William Feinbloom Vision Rehabilitation Center - housed at TEI’s Oak Lane location.

“When I was in college, I was an ophthalmic tech at an ophthalmology office and I fell in love with eye care then,” said Dr. Auman. “While at Salus, I fell in love with low vision in particular during my rotation in the Feinbloom Center.”The Feinbloom Center’s interdisciplinary team of doctors, residents, optometric interns, social workers and low vision therapists all work together to help patients with blindness and low vision regain lost visual skills.

Along with overseeing the optometric interns and providing patient care, Dr. Auman spends time in emergency services, as well as retina and glaucoma care. She also attends weekly group sessions with her fellow residents.

“We have resident conferences a few times a week where we discuss our cases and the rest of my night is spent working on my charts for the day,” said Dr. Auman.

Dr. Auman says she enjoys providing care for such a diverse patient base and the opportunity to gain experience and clinical exposure with an array of different eye conditions and diseases. Although the residency program keeps her very busy, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Residency at TEI is crazy busy, but also amazing. I get to learn from some of the best doctors,” said Dr. Auman. “Working with the patients, students and faculty at TEI - it’s such a rewarding experience.”